Corporate worship is designed to remind you that Jesus met every requirement so that you wouldn't live afraid of never measuring up. --Paul David Tripp
Now, THAT's a reall reason to get me going on a cold Sunday morning! The pressure is off. I don't have to be or do some real or imagined list of thinigs to check off in order to show up for worship, to be accepted by God! That's done and finished! That was Jesus' final cry from His cross, It is finished!
There are so many people struggling out of their beds this morning to get ready to go to church. Many of them are making the effort in a desperate attempt to measure up to some imaginary "yard stick" and it is all "sound and fury, signifying nothing"! (T.S. Eliot, The Wasteland)
What a terrible burden! What a colossal waste of time and energy! What a stupid exercise in futility!
Actually Galatians 5:6 says it best, "In Christ neither circumcision nor uncircumsion counts for anything! What counts is faith expressing itself in love." I really heard this wonderful truth with my heart from a pretty unimpressive pastor named Dr. Jack Miller.That is, Jack wasn't impressive until he started sharing his heart about God's awesome work in his life freeing him from the burden of working, worrying, trying, scratching and scrabbling to gain God's favor. Jack was well-known for quoting and teaching, In Christ neither _________ nor __________ counts for anything! What counts is faith expressing itself in love. You fill in the blank for you! I'll fill it in for myself, thank you very much! And I will live this day in the confidence that because Jesus poured out His love - as His life's blood dripped down a rugged Roman cross beside a well-traveled path outside Jerusalem over 2,000 years ago - I don't have to keep working and trying so hard to make the grade with God! It is done! WHEW! What a relief that is!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Post Birth Abortion??? NOT!!!!
Timing is everything! Sometimes it's breath-taking about the timing thing! Our women's Bible study sponsored by A Restoration Church is studying various ethical issues in light of God's truth. The last two weeks we've dealt with abortion. We have also tackled stem cell research, autism, self-image, violence and more.
Yesterday was Dr. Seuss' 108th birthday.
What in the world do abortion and Dr. Seuss have in common?
In its February 28, 2012 issue the Journal of Medical Ethics published and featured an article entitled "After-Birth Abortion: Why Should the Baby Live?" In any other world after birth and abortion would never remotely have anything to do with each other! This article is all about the birth of children who have previously "unexpected" disabilities and what to do about them. The article - in a medical ethics journal no less - suggests post-birth abortion is the option for parents. How can after-birth murder be the same label as pre-birth murder (abortion)? Part of the answer in the article is that newborn babies as well as in-utero babies neither one are real humans.
I looked but I could find NOTHING in God's Word of truth that remotely suports such an egregious travesty! But apart from that - it would seem to me that reason alone would cry "foul" on this one!
AND what does THAT have to do with Dr. Seuss? Well, among many other wise, pithy sayings, he wrote “A person's a person, no matter how small.”!
That's NOT Scripture but it is the truth and we better wrap our minds around it before as a nation we lose our ethical and moral souls forever!
What a opportunity to be salt in such a rotten world and light that pushes back darkness!
Yesterday was Dr. Seuss' 108th birthday.
What in the world do abortion and Dr. Seuss have in common?
In its February 28, 2012 issue the Journal of Medical Ethics published and featured an article entitled "After-Birth Abortion: Why Should the Baby Live?" In any other world after birth and abortion would never remotely have anything to do with each other! This article is all about the birth of children who have previously "unexpected" disabilities and what to do about them. The article - in a medical ethics journal no less - suggests post-birth abortion is the option for parents. How can after-birth murder be the same label as pre-birth murder (abortion)? Part of the answer in the article is that newborn babies as well as in-utero babies neither one are real humans.
I looked but I could find NOTHING in God's Word of truth that remotely suports such an egregious travesty! But apart from that - it would seem to me that reason alone would cry "foul" on this one!
AND what does THAT have to do with Dr. Seuss? Well, among many other wise, pithy sayings, he wrote “A person's a person, no matter how small.”!
That's NOT Scripture but it is the truth and we better wrap our minds around it before as a nation we lose our ethical and moral souls forever!
What a opportunity to be salt in such a rotten world and light that pushes back darkness!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Wanted - Posted: New Heart!
Life is the mightiest of all possessions. From death to life is the mightiest of all changes. And no change short of this will ever avail to fit a person’s soul for heaven. It is not a little mending and alteration – a little cleansing and purifying – a little painting and patching – a little whitewashing and varnishing – a little turning over a new leaf and putting on a new outside that is needed. It is the bringing in of something altogether new – the planting within us of a new nature, a new being – a new principle – a new mind. This alone, and nothing less than this, will ever meet the necessities of person’s soul. We need not merely a new skin, but a new heart.~ J.C. Ryle
Sunday, February 26, 2012
My Three Special Granddaughters!
I have three really wonderful granddaughters. Two of them have been mine since birth. One came later.
Here's a special story about these three of my heart!
Clara and Abby first met Vania on a family vacation outing at Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC. Vania is the oldest at 15. Clara and Abby are 8 and 9. When they met it was obvious that they were intrigued with each other but also shy - just not quite sure how to relate to each other. Clara was particularly hanging back.
At that point in time, Vania's mother and our son were just engaged. Six months later they married after a "lifetime" of waiting for this love of both their lives!
The next time I saw Vania, Clara and Abby weren't there. Vania came into the house and ran from room to room upstairs and down. I followed her. After she had peeked in every room she leaned against the door frame, looked at me and said, "Whur the gurls?" It took me a minute to understand. She was looking for Abby and Clara. She was totally disappointed when I told her they were far away at home in Virginia.
A few short months later all three girls were in the wedding in their beautiful red silk dresses.
When Vania got to the front of the church, she was so happy her mother was marrying "Daddy Dave" that she literally danced a little gig! It was so precious!
The three girls bonded a little more at the wedding.
One reason Clara didn't quite know how to relate is that Vania is special. She has Down Syndrome. She has limited ability to talk clearly. She marches to her own drummer. She has a heart as big as the outdoors, a beautiful smile and a keen appreciation for giving and receiving love.
What about now? How is that relationship turning out?
Here's what happened yesterday: one of our grandsons, the brother of Abby and Clara, (all three are visiting us in Pittsburgh for a week) had a bad ear ache. We went to Med Express since it was Saturday. All of us went back to the exam room. The nurse was getting a history. She asked some questions about family health. Clara piped up and said, "Well, Vania has something. She has Down Syndrome but it's not catching and she's our cousin!" It might not seem like such a big thing except it spoke volumes about how far their relationship has come. What started as a little uncomfortable - the new and unknown - has come around to a matter of the heart with acceptance and love!
That's pretty special! It is truly a story about restoration deep in the heart!
Jesus, thank you for granddaughters who love and appreciate each other!
Here's a special story about these three of my heart!
Clara and Abby first met Vania on a family vacation outing at Biltmore Estate in Asheville NC. Vania is the oldest at 15. Clara and Abby are 8 and 9. When they met it was obvious that they were intrigued with each other but also shy - just not quite sure how to relate to each other. Clara was particularly hanging back.
At that point in time, Vania's mother and our son were just engaged. Six months later they married after a "lifetime" of waiting for this love of both their lives!
The next time I saw Vania, Clara and Abby weren't there. Vania came into the house and ran from room to room upstairs and down. I followed her. After she had peeked in every room she leaned against the door frame, looked at me and said, "Whur the gurls?" It took me a minute to understand. She was looking for Abby and Clara. She was totally disappointed when I told her they were far away at home in Virginia.
A few short months later all three girls were in the wedding in their beautiful red silk dresses.
When Vania got to the front of the church, she was so happy her mother was marrying "Daddy Dave" that she literally danced a little gig! It was so precious!
The three girls bonded a little more at the wedding.
One reason Clara didn't quite know how to relate is that Vania is special. She has Down Syndrome. She has limited ability to talk clearly. She marches to her own drummer. She has a heart as big as the outdoors, a beautiful smile and a keen appreciation for giving and receiving love.
What about now? How is that relationship turning out?
Here's what happened yesterday: one of our grandsons, the brother of Abby and Clara, (all three are visiting us in Pittsburgh for a week) had a bad ear ache. We went to Med Express since it was Saturday. All of us went back to the exam room. The nurse was getting a history. She asked some questions about family health. Clara piped up and said, "Well, Vania has something. She has Down Syndrome but it's not catching and she's our cousin!" It might not seem like such a big thing except it spoke volumes about how far their relationship has come. What started as a little uncomfortable - the new and unknown - has come around to a matter of the heart with acceptance and love!
That's pretty special! It is truly a story about restoration deep in the heart!
Jesus, thank you for granddaughters who love and appreciate each other!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Mirror of Grandkids
Over the river and thru the woods to Grandmama's house we go!
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh thru white and driftin' snow ..........
It's a cold and snowy Saturday! There's no horse but three of seven grandkids are here for a visit - one with strep throat - but hopefully we're past the worst of that! It's amazing how grandkids hold up a mirror of ourselves - scary sometimes!
Yesterday a friend kept them while I took another friend to the doctor - couldn't quite face managing a handicapped accessible van, off-loading and re-loading my friend and her power chair, talking with the surgeon, picking up prescription and all the rest of that drill with 8, 9, 12 in tow!
I came home to find a pile of various and sundry "toys" from Dollar Tree. My friend took them shopping. One granddaughter took full advantage of the situation to indulge her eye's desires! Then last night she was praying at bedtime, "Jesus, forgive me for being selfish and help Miss Patty to forgive me too."
I am horrified and embarrassed. Why? - well, partially it's a pride issue for me. Then I thought: how many times am I selfish and thoughtless? It must be much more disgusting to God's heart for this believer in Jesus to demonstrate selfishness. Somehow it's worse - far worse - than selfishness at age 8!
I am convicted and instructed by my little granddaughter's prayer, "Jesus, forgive me too for being selfish!"
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh thru white and driftin' snow ..........
It's a cold and snowy Saturday! There's no horse but three of seven grandkids are here for a visit - one with strep throat - but hopefully we're past the worst of that! It's amazing how grandkids hold up a mirror of ourselves - scary sometimes!
Yesterday a friend kept them while I took another friend to the doctor - couldn't quite face managing a handicapped accessible van, off-loading and re-loading my friend and her power chair, talking with the surgeon, picking up prescription and all the rest of that drill with 8, 9, 12 in tow!
I came home to find a pile of various and sundry "toys" from Dollar Tree. My friend took them shopping. One granddaughter took full advantage of the situation to indulge her eye's desires! Then last night she was praying at bedtime, "Jesus, forgive me for being selfish and help Miss Patty to forgive me too."
I am horrified and embarrassed. Why? - well, partially it's a pride issue for me. Then I thought: how many times am I selfish and thoughtless? It must be much more disgusting to God's heart for this believer in Jesus to demonstrate selfishness. Somehow it's worse - far worse - than selfishness at age 8!
I am convicted and instructed by my little granddaughter's prayer, "Jesus, forgive me too for being selfish!"
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Take and Make!
Take my will and make it Thine; It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
--Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Take my heart, it is Thine own; It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
--Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Hero Heart
What IS a hero? Is there some list of qualifications to make the cut for hero? It appears to me that our society has some floating definition that generically covers just about anyone who has been "famous" regardless of their life and its living.
Perhaps we need to go back to the "drawing board" and reevaluate the paradigm for hero. The "drawing board" would be Scripture. That's where we find God's definition of hero. And it's clear that God doesn't require perfection to make the grade for hero because God used some pretty flawed people to build His Kingdom on earth. There was Moses the murderer and Jacob the sneaky schemer. There was David the adulteror and murderer who God calls "a man after God's own heart"! There was Peter who denied that he even knew Jesus who fell on his face in tearful repentance at the feet of Jesus following the resurrection to receive forgiveness and restoration!
So, apparently in God's paradigm for hero there isn't the requirement of perfection, purity and squeaky clean. But - that being said - "hero" should require genuine sacrifice, ultimate integrity, remarkable courage to perform brave deeds with nobility. "Hero" also encompasses the concept of role model - positive role model, that is!
The dictionary adds: "the principal character (male) in a book, movie, etc." Maybe that's where "hero" runs off the rails! There are many principal players recorded on the pages of history who had their flash of fame but never got close to hero status. Generally "hero" means male but I am using "hero" generically to include both genders.
A friend - actually more than one - posted this picture on Facebook today:
It certainly distinguishes "hero" as more than the "icing on a cake." "Hero" is won by courage and commitment in the face of hardship, pain, struggle and even death!
I have lived in this picture one bright summer day on a hillside in North Carolina. My brother who had distinguished himself as a career Marine officer was buried after he died as a result of a tragic tractor accident on his farm days after retiring from the Corps. One of his young sons was about the age of this young man in the picture.
General Charles Krulak gave the flag from Ed's coffin to his widow. General Krulak (who was the Commandant of the US Marine Corps shortly thereafter) also wrote three letters - one to each of Ed's children. Each letter detailed an occasion when General Krulak and my brother were together and how in that situation General Krulak saw heroism, courage and Godly character. In each letter General Krulak referenced a Scripture verse my brother had applied to that situation. Not because he is my brother - but because of his character and courage doing the right thing rather than the expedient, easy way and most of all because of his commitment of his whole heart and life to Jesus Christ - that's what a hero looks like! Hero comes from the heart!
Perhaps we need to go back to the "drawing board" and reevaluate the paradigm for hero. The "drawing board" would be Scripture. That's where we find God's definition of hero. And it's clear that God doesn't require perfection to make the grade for hero because God used some pretty flawed people to build His Kingdom on earth. There was Moses the murderer and Jacob the sneaky schemer. There was David the adulteror and murderer who God calls "a man after God's own heart"! There was Peter who denied that he even knew Jesus who fell on his face in tearful repentance at the feet of Jesus following the resurrection to receive forgiveness and restoration!
So, apparently in God's paradigm for hero there isn't the requirement of perfection, purity and squeaky clean. But - that being said - "hero" should require genuine sacrifice, ultimate integrity, remarkable courage to perform brave deeds with nobility. "Hero" also encompasses the concept of role model - positive role model, that is!
The dictionary adds: "the principal character (male) in a book, movie, etc." Maybe that's where "hero" runs off the rails! There are many principal players recorded on the pages of history who had their flash of fame but never got close to hero status. Generally "hero" means male but I am using "hero" generically to include both genders.
A friend - actually more than one - posted this picture on Facebook today:
It certainly distinguishes "hero" as more than the "icing on a cake." "Hero" is won by courage and commitment in the face of hardship, pain, struggle and even death!
I have lived in this picture one bright summer day on a hillside in North Carolina. My brother who had distinguished himself as a career Marine officer was buried after he died as a result of a tragic tractor accident on his farm days after retiring from the Corps. One of his young sons was about the age of this young man in the picture.
General Charles Krulak gave the flag from Ed's coffin to his widow. General Krulak (who was the Commandant of the US Marine Corps shortly thereafter) also wrote three letters - one to each of Ed's children. Each letter detailed an occasion when General Krulak and my brother were together and how in that situation General Krulak saw heroism, courage and Godly character. In each letter General Krulak referenced a Scripture verse my brother had applied to that situation. Not because he is my brother - but because of his character and courage doing the right thing rather than the expedient, easy way and most of all because of his commitment of his whole heart and life to Jesus Christ - that's what a hero looks like! Hero comes from the heart!
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